so|na|ta

so|na|ta «suh NAH tuh», noun.

1. a piece of music, for one or two instruments, having three or four movements in contrasted rhythms and keys.

2. (originally) any instrumental composition, as contrasted with a vocal composition or cantata.

╂[< Italian sonata (literally) sounded (played on an instrument, contrasted with singing) < Latin sonāre to sound]